Tree surgeon died after accidental overdose

Tree surgeon died after accidental overdose

THE FAMILY of a tree surgeon who passed away following an accidental overdose of heroin in December has stressed the importance of identifying and treating ADHD from an early age.

An inquest into the death of 33-year-old Kevin Bradley Lane heard that in spite of his intelligence he was a restless, and sometimes disruptive pupil in school and left with no formal qualifications. At around this time he was associating with young adults in a similar position and started smoking cannabis as self medication for his restlessness.

At the inquest in Llanelli Town Hall on Wednesday (Feb 28) Coroner’s Officer Malcolm Thompson explained that Mr Lane was born in Liverpool and was fostered at the age of 16 months before being adopted by his foster parents.

When he was 11 the family relocated to Barry. While Mr Lane excelled in certain sports including swimming and the javelin, as well as displaying artistic talent, he struggled with written work as a result of dyslexia and undiagnosed ADHD and left school with no qualifications.

However, he was highly intelligent, and spent a lot of time accumulating knowledge through audiobooks and documentaries.

After holding a number of jobs, his family moved to Llandysul when he was 18. Around this time Mr Lane began work as a tree surgeon. He excelled at the job, and over the next decade gained qualifications and worked for a number of firms, becoming widely and highly respected in the business. He was qualified to cut trees near power lines and railways, and enjoyed the challenge of carrying out skilful work in dangerous situations.

Recently, he had begun an access course in art at Coleg Sir Gar, and eventually hoped to gain a degree and become a teacher.

Mr Lane’s family described him as an articulate, humorous and fun-loving man, with a keen interest in music. He would always help those in need, and once rescued a friend from drowning in Barry. On another occasion he carried a friend who had broken his leg a considerable distance to get help.

From the middle of his 20s, Mr Lane lived with heroin addiction, which he did not hide from his family. However, over the last two years he sought help to get clean from agencies such as DDAS and the Wellfield Clinic.

On the morning of December 12, police found Mr Lane collapsed and unresponsive in Marks and Spencer Carmarthen, with a used syringe nearby. He was taken to Glangwili Hospital and placed on a life support machine, but sadly passed away the following day.

His death was treated as non-suspicious and unexplained.

Carmarthenshire Coroner Mark Layton read from a toxicology report, which indicated that there was morphine present in his system at a level known to cause toxicity, although addicts generally developed a higher tolerance.

His family suggested that his tolerance could well have been reduced by his efforts to give up the drug, and Mr Layton agreed.

A statement from the family stressed the importance of properly identifying and treating ADHD from an early age. “This was a very significant cause of Kevin’s restlessness, and troubled nature from an early stage in life, and we understand that ADHD is highly correlated with drug use in young people,” they added.

Mr Layton concluded that the death was drug-related, and passed on his condolences to the family.

Miss Edwards said: “To be appointed a Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet is among the highest honours a Cadet can receive. Whether on parade with me for Royal visits, Church services or accompanying me to a hospital or a care home, you will be ambassadors not just for your organisation or indeed the Lieutenancy but, may I say, for all of the young people in your region.

“It is a role to relish, be proud of and to use for an instrument of good. I look forward to being supported and assisted by you at every opportunity. As Her Majesty The Queen herself has said, with enough training, you can do anything.”

They were selected for their outstanding extra-curricular achievements and will now accompany HM Lord-Lieutenant at official engagements. It will include playing an active role at ceremonial events, such as Royal visits and Remembrance services held in Dyfed.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed’s Cadets for 2017 received a badge and certificate for their year of service. The group included; Leading Cadet Huw Jenkins from Fishguard SCC, Mr Niall Hooper formerly of Milford Haven SCC, Cadet Company Sergeant Major Sion Jones from Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF, Cadet Warrant Officer Holly Powell from Llandovery College CCF and Cadet Warrant Officers Abigail Beckett and Daniel Clements from No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets.

There are more than 4,400 Cadets in Wales who come from the Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and RAF Air Cadets. There are 1,200 youth volunteers who provide opportunities for Cadets to grow through life changing experiences, gain new skills and achieve qualifications as they enjoy fun with friends.

The event was organised by RFCA for Wales – an organisation that has supported the Armed Forces for over 100 years. RFCA for Wales is the enabling voice for Reserves and Cadets in Wales.

The Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit was awarded to Major Wynne Jones MBE. The Llanelli Reservist joined the Army in 1983 and retires later this month. During this time, he has served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Reservists as vital and valued members of the Defence family. They enhance their everyday lives through adventurous and challenging experiences, learning transferable skills useful for their civilian lives and employment.

To learn more about opportunities available, visit: www.Wales-RFCA.org.